Push-button switch operable by external actuator



PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH OPERABLE BY EXTERNAL ACTUATOR Filed Feb. 1, 1962.

I Feb. 9, 1965 s. A. WOODWARD 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

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v 2 ad 7 FE I5 7 3 4 91 4 3 9 SI 3 8 H w m W a. x 5 3 5 5 x 7 1 4 n 7 w 6 8 a. u w 7 Z 5 4 7 3 ,v/ 3 8 7 6 2 6 7 8 a a 6 5 1 Inventor'- Stewart H. Woodward by qEMCDM His Attomqg Feb. 9, 1965 s. A. WOODWARD PUSH-BUTTON swrrcu' OPERABLE BY EXTERNAL; ACTUATOR Filed Feb. 1. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor= Stewart A. Woodward b 1% a. W

His Attovnqg a to the switch.

United States Patent 3,169,173 PUSH-BUTTUN SWEITCH UPERABIJE BY EXTERNAL ACTUATOR Stewart A. Woodward, Strattord, Conn, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 170,382 ,Claims. a (@l. 200-5) This invention relates to a push-button switch and particularly a multiple push-button switch with a series of manually controlled push buttons which may be depressed to control the operation of several circuits connected through the switch. I

Push-button switches have been used in great numbers as appliance switches for electric ranges, washing machines, and. room air conditioners, etc, 'to control the circuitry thereof. In some applications of these switches, it is desirable to operate one or more or the push buttons to their depressed positions by means of an external device, such as, for example, a solenoid. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a push-button switch with a novel, low cost, and eflicient "ice button switch embodyingone form of the present invention, the switch being operably linked to a fragmentarily illustrated solenoid;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the switch of FIG. 1, with the cover removedtherefrom;

FIG. 3 isfa sectional view taken generally along the lines 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 2, and including the cover;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one. of the'pushrods of the switch embodying the present invention, with a broken line fragmentary illustration of cooperating slider structure; and i FIG. 6 is alayout view showing the configuration of the movable sliders and guiding members ofthe switch.

Referring in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 4, there is shown a multiple push-button switch 1 wherein my invention has been advantageously employed. The switch housing 3 includes. a hollow base 5 and a relatively thincover plate 7 which are formed of suitable insulating material and cooperate to providea means for positively operating push buttons by an external ployed to operate the pushbuttons to depressed positions in response to mechanical actuation by'a device external In carrying out my invention, in one form thereof, I apply it to a multiple push-button switch with movable elongated sliders. This switch includes a base, and a plurality of pushrods which are mounted thereto to selectively control the relative positions of a plurality of cooperating sliders. Movable contacts are also mounted on the base and they are operated by movement of certain of the sliders in response to depression of the pushrods.

By my invention, one orrnore of the switch actuating slider'sis operably linked to an externally located solenoid and arranged to positively cooperate with one or more associated pushrods for depressing the pushrod in response to movement of the slider by the solenoid. The slider is arranged for reciprocating movement between first and secondpositions to operate one or more movable contacts, and the solenoid is arrangedso that it moves the slider.

between its first position and its second position. One or more special inclined recesses are formed in the slider. Each of these recesses includes a pair of inclined upper and lower surfaces disposed in substantially parallel relative disposition. upon by the inner end of an associated pushrod during the depression thereof to move the slider between its first position and its second position. The upper inclined surface'is slidably and continuously cooperable with aslot formed in the pushrod between its ends to positively removable contacts 17.

compact supporting structure for the slider and manual actuating mechanisms of the switch. Cover plate 7 has 23in the base 5 (FIG. 3) with appropriate projecting fingers 25 adajcent the outer surfaces of the base and plate being lapped over: in the well-known manner to hold the terminals in place and secure together the cover and base.

To actuate switch 1, pushrods Z7 and 28 extend downwardly through top wall 290i base Sinto the hollow portion thereof. (See FIGS. 1 and.:4.) .The pushrods 27 and 28 have bifurcated outer ends 30. (as illustrated for pushrod 28 in FIG. 5) for. securely engag-v ing the push buttons 31-35,:these pushrods'also dilTering structurally from each other, as shall be explained in detail hereinafter. The push buttons 31 and'33are each,

' attached to the outer ends 30 of an adjacent pair of dif:

The lower inclined surface is acted tract the pushrod from its outermost to its depressed posi tion in response to actuation of the slider by the solenoid. With such an arrangement, actuation of the pushrods to their depressed positions is effectively achieved by an external device at a'minimum cost.

Further aspects, of my invention will become apparent hereinafter, and the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which I regard as my invention. T heinvention, howevergas to organization and method of opera-' tion, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction "with the ac-l .compa iying drawings, in which;

" FIG.1 is a front elevational view ot a multiple push.

ferent pushrods 2'7 and 28 (as shown in FIG.'4), ..and the push buttons32, 34, and 35 are each ,attachedto an adjacent pairof identical pushrods 27 (FIG. 4). By arranging the pushrods in pairs for control by the push buttons 31-35, a means is obtained for operating these pairs in unison to ellectively control and balance the push buttons during the reciprocation thereof.

For selectively controlling the switch contacts inrespouse to reciprocation of pushrods 27;.and 28, these push rods have cylindrically configuredactuating portions 37 (FIG. 4) formed at their inner ends. Portions 37"each cooperate with and act upon elongated switch actuating sliders 4i, s2, and 43 to-control the positions of movable contact supporting arms 45' of the'switch, For a better understanding of the sliders ll, 42, and, 43, attention is,

V which areadapted to engage thefcentral portion (FIG. 4) V or certain predetermined movable switch arnis i S' so as 3,1 o 3 to open and close clrcuits through these arms. The uppermost edge i) of the slider 41 is provided with a series of adjacent pairs of similarly configured working recesses 51, and clearance recesses 53, respectively. Each adjacent pair of similarly configured working recesses 51 cooperates with an adjacent pair of conjunc-tively operated pushrods. More particularly, each adjacent'pairof working recesses 51 includes a pair of working surfaces 55 sloped in the same manner, the surfacesSS being engagedby the inner portions 37 of associated pushrods for shifting the slider 41 back and forth within the switchhousing 3 in the well-known manner.

Turning now to a detailed explanation ofan important aspect of my invention, which is the provisionin my improved switch of an effective and simplified means for positively operating one or more of the push buttons by an external actuating device, attention is directed to the sliders Y42 and 43 of FIG. 6. In the illustrated switch 1, sliders 42-and 43 are of elongated construction, and are slightly longer than slider 41. A solenoid S is located on the left side of switch .1, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, and is operably linked to the ends of the'two sliders 42 and 43, as shall be described in detail hereinafter. Sliders 42 and 43 are adapted to efliciently operate push buttons 31 and 33 in response toenergization of solenoids. More particularly, the sliders '42 and 43 are constructed similarly to slider 41 in that'they have their lower longitudinal edges 57 shaped to provide cam surfaces 49 (FIG. 6)..

These cam surfaces 49 of the sliders 42 and .43 engage certain predetermined movable switch arms 45 to open and close. circuits through these arms in the same manner as described for slider 41. The uppermost longitudinal edges 59 of the sliders 42 and 43 somewhat resemble slider 41 in that they include a series of adjacent pairs of similarly configured working recesses 51 and clearance recesses -53. However, in accordance with the present in-, vention, each of these sliders 4Z and 43 further includes a special inclined recess .61 which opens into edge 59 thereof. Recess 51 includes a pair of inclined and op posed lowerand upper surfaces 63 and 65, respectively (viewing FIG. 6), which are disposed in substantially parallel disposition.

In the particular illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the inclinedsurface 63 is shorter in length than the inclined surface 65 and is'disposed closest to. the solenoid S. The longer inclined surface .65 is thus disposed farther awayfrom the solenoid S than its opposed surface 63, and,.as shownin FIG. 6, it terminates at projecting horizontal surface 67 to form pointed edge, 69. As shown in'FlGS. 4 and 6, the surfaces 67 and 65 are-related to ment of this pushrod from its outermost to its depressed position in response to energization of solenoid S.

For operating the sliders 42 and 43 in response to a mechanical force exerted thereupon by the externally located solenoid S, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, plunger 79 of the solenoid S has a coiled tension spring 81 suitably connected at one of its ends thereto. Spring 81 has a looped end 85 which is hooked into engagement with an apertured link 85. More particularly, the link 85 is a flat, elongated and rectangularly configured piece of metal, as shown in FIG. 2, and it has an elongated aperture 57 formed in it. Aperture 87 includes a transverse surface S) on the right side thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, and an apex 91 on the left side thereof (FIG. 2). The link 85' is extended outwardly through an end wall of the switch housing 3, being positioned in a suitable slot )2 (FIG. 4) formed in base 5. Eachof the sliders 42 and 43 has a foot 3 near its left end (viewing FIG. 6). Foot 93 provides a shoulder 94 which faces inwardly, or toward the other end of the slider, and the foot 93 is positioned in the aperture 37 of link 85. As shown in FIG. 4, the transverse surface 89 of link aperture 87 thus enges shoulders )4 of the feet 93 of the two sliders 4; and (See also PEG. 6.) From viewing H632 and 4, it will be seen that looped end d3 of spring 81 is hooked through aperture 37 and around apex 91 of the link to enable the solenoid S topull the sliders {i2 and {i3 to eft upon each energization of the solenoid. Eachtime the solenoid S is energized, surface 89 of the link thus pulls shoulders 94 of the sliders42 and 43 to the left, to mechanically actuate the pushrods 238 and their associated push buttons 31 and 33 from their outermost totheir depressed positions. 1

Since an important function of the sliders 42 and 43 is to perform mechanical work in respones to an external device, these sliders are slightly thicker than the switch actuating slider 4-1, to enhance their sturdiness and durability. (See FIG. 2.) To help stabilize the reciprocating movement of thepushrods 2-7 and 28, as shown in FIG. 6, three elongated guiding members 97 have been provided. The guiding members 97 are of thin slider-like configuration (resembling slider 41 in thickness), but they are different from the sliders 41-43 in that they are incapable of any considerable longitudinal movementwithin the base and perform no. switch actuating functions. These members 97 have a series of narrow vertical slots 99formed therein. The slots99 open into top longitudinal edge tilt of the members 7 and are in alignment with the openings in the top wall of the base through each other by an acuteangle to form the pointed edge 69.

tions 37, whereas, pushrods 28, as shown in FIG. 5, have an elongated slot '75 formed between their inner and outer ends. To put this another way, pushrods 27 are construc-ted similarly to the pushrods 28 shown illustratively in FIG. 5, except for the fact that they have no slots75 formed therein between their ends. The slot 75 has an oblong rectangular configuration and includes a lower transverse edge '77 which is adjacent and parallel to the axis of cylindricalportionSi. Brieily-s-tateithe purpose of the slot 75 in pushrods 23 is to enable the upper surface 65 of the special-recessdll of each of the sliders 412 and 43 to slidably cooperate with its associated pushrod Z8 forpositively' and continuously controlling the "lovewhich the pushrods are extended. It will be understood by those skilledin-the art that slots 99 slidably engage portions 37 of the pushrods and help to control the reciprocating movement of the various pushrods between their outermost and depressed positions. The guidingmembers lyialso serve to help prevent any undesirable relative movements of the sliders dl, 42, and dfl.

' Turning now to a detailed explanation of the operation of the improved switch 1 embodying the present invention, attention isdirccted toFIG. 4. Any of the push buttons 31-35 may, of course, be manually depressed to actuate certain predetermined movable contacts of the. switch. However, whenever the solenoid S is energized, the switch 1 is actuated to the position where itis shown in HG. 4. The solenoid S is-linked to the sliders l2 and 43V so .that it pulls them to the left when it is energized. The points "69 of the sliders 42; anddfi are thenmoved toward the it is shown in FIG..4, the solenoi ,S whichis operated by a means externalto the switch, has thus pulled .down the two pushbuttons Strand 33' to their depressed positions to provide an indicating means for the operator of the switch, such as, for example, the housewife, of the condition of the appliance which is being controlled, as a result or" the actuation of the solenoid. As shown in FIG. 4, it will further be seen that when the switch is in this position, certain of the switch arms 45 are held open by slider 42 and others are allowed to close by slider 42. During the movement of sliders Hand 43 to their left or solenoid actuated position (FIG. 4), working surfaces 55 of slider 42 act upon portions 37 of the pushrods associated with push buttons 34 and 35 and return the push buttons 34 and 35 to their outermost positions if they are depressed. At the same time, working surfaces 55 of slider 43 return push button 32 to its outermost position if it happens to be depressed.

With the switch 1 in the position shown in FIG. 4, when the solenoid mechanism is energized, the two push buttons 31 and 33 are held in their depressed positions and push buttons 32, 34, and 35 are held in their outermost positions. However, when the solenoid is deenergized, subsequent depression or" either of the push buttons 34 or 35 will cause the actuating portions 37 of these push buttons to act upon working surfaces 55 of the slider 4-2. The slider 42 thereupon moves to the right to actuate push button 33 back to its outermost position. Thus, as slider 42 moves from the position wherein it is shown in FIG. 4, in a direction to the right, the lower inclined surface 63 of inclined recess 61 acts upon actuating section 37 of the pushrod 23 associated with push button 33 to move push button 33 outwardly from its depresesd position to its outermost position. The contact blades contnolled by the slider 52 are thereupon actuated to another predetermined position.

When the push-button switch 1 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, and the solenoid S is deenergized, if push button 32 is then depressed, this has no effect upon push button 7 However, theactuating portions 37 of the pushrods of push button 32 then engage working surfaces 55 of the slider 43 and move slider 43 to the right. The

7 lower inclined edge 63 of recess 61 of slider 43 thereupon engages actuating section 37 of the pushrod 28 for push button 31 and returns push button 31 them its depressed to its outermost position.

It will be understood that my new and improved push button switch such as herein illustrated provides a simple and elficient means for positively controlling the positioning of one or more push buttons in response to an external actuating device, such as a solenoid. It should be realized that certain aspects of my invention may be incorporated efiiciently and beneficially in other various types of push-button switches.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, I have described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the following claims to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Patent of the United States is: r

1. In a push-buttonswitch of the type arranged for actuation by an external device, a housing including an insulating base, contact means including at least one movable contact disposed on said housing, an elongated slider carried by saidhousing forreciprocating movement between first and second positions to actuate said movable contact, saidsliderbeing movable from said first to said second position by an external-device, a pushrod mount- Letters 2. The switch of claim 1, wherein the positive engaging means includes an inclined, recess opening into a longitudinal edge of said slider and a slot formed in said push rod between the ends thereof, said recess includinga pair;

of generally opposed inclined surfaces, one of said inclined surfaces being slidably engaged with a wall of said slot to positively retract said pushrod fromits outermost position to its depressed position when the slider is moved from its first position to its second position by the external rods mounted on said housing, and a plurality of switch actuating sliders positively engaging said pushrods and responsive to movement of said pushrods, contact means including a plurality of movable contacts supported by said housing, each of said switch sliders including a pinrality of inclined working surfaces engageable by certain 'of' said pushrods and at least one cam surface for engaging certain movable contacts of said switch, one of said sliders being movable from a first position to a second position by an external device, said' slider havingan inclined recess opening into a longitudinal edge thereof,

said recess including a pair of opposed inclined surfaces,

one of said pushrods being reciprocably mounted on said housing to coact with the inclined recess of said slider, said pushrod having a slot formed therein between its ends, one of said inclined surfaces of said recess being slidably engageable with a side of said slot to positively retract said pushrod from its outermost position to its depressed position when said slider is moved from its first position to its second position by said external device, the other of said inclined surfaces of said recess being slidably engageable with a switch actuating portion of the one pushrod to move said slider from said first position to said second position in response to depression of said pushrod.

4. In a push-button switch of the type arranged for actuation by an external device, a housing including an insulating base, contact means including at least one movable contact disposed on said housing, at least one pushrod reciprocably mounted on said housing to control said movable contact, said pushrod having a slot formed therein between its ends, a movable slider disposed in said housing,

said slider being movable from a first position to a second position by an external device, and said slider having an lnclined recess formed in one side thereof for slidable engagement with said pushrod, the recess of said slider being slidably engageable with the slot of the pushrod to positively retract said pushrod from its outermost position to its depressed position when the slider is moved from its first position to its second position by the external device, said pushrod being slidably engageable with said recess to move said slider from the first position to the ed for reciprocating movement between an outer posi tion anda depressed position in relation to said housing,

and positive engaging means on saidslider andsaid'pushrod for moving'said slider from said first position to said external device. I

second position in response to depression of said pushrod. 5. In a multiple push-button switch of the type arranged for actuation by an external device, a housing including an insulating base, a plurality of switch actuating pushrods mounted on said housing, at least one switch actuatingslidercarried by said housing and engageable with said pushrods and responsive to movement of said pushrods, contact means including a plurality of movable contacts supported by said housing, said switch slider. including at least one inclined working surface engageable by. an as-- sliderbeingmovable from a first position to a second position by an external device, said slider having. in addition to saidlone working surface for engagement with'isaid first associated pushrod'an inclined recess formed in one side; thereof for slidable engagement with 'a second pushrod, said second pushrod'having a slot formed therein between r its ends, the inclined recess of said slider being slidably engageable with the slot of said second pushrod to positively retract said second pushrod from its outermost position to its depressed position when the slider is moved 1 from its first position to its second position by the external device, said Working surface of said one slider being slidably engageable with said first pus'nrod if said first pushrod is in the depressed position to return said first pushrod to its outermost position when the slider is rnoved from its first to its second position, and said second poshrod being siidably engageable with said inclined recess to move said slider from the firstposition to the second position in response to depression of said second pushrod.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 BERNARD GILHEANY, Pri ar Examiner. 

1. IN A PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH OF THE TYPE ARANGED FOR ACTUATION BY AN EXTERNAL DEVICE, A HOUSING INCLUDING AN INSULATING BASE, CONTACT MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE MOVABLE CONTACT DISPOSED ON SAID HOUSING, AN ELONGATED SLIDER CARRIED BY SAID HOUSING FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS TO ACTUATE SAID MOVABLE CONTACT, SAID SLIDER BEING MOVABLE FROM SAID FIRST TO SAID SECOND POSITION BY AN EXTERNAL DEVICE, A PUSHROD MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN OUTER POSI- 